Entries in USOC
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- The United States Olympic Committee and a group of Democratic U.S. Senators today announced a deal that requires U.S. Olympians’ opening and closing ceremony uniforms to be “Made in America” starting in 2014.

The announcement, made from the office of Sen. Menendez, D-NJ, today, comes after Menendez and 11 other Democratic Senators introduced legislation in the Senate last week that would require the U.S. Olympic Committee to outfit the U.S. Olympic team in clothes made in America for all future Olympic games.

On Wednesday, Sen. Menendez met with USOC Chairman Larry Probst and USOC Chief Executive Officer Scott Blackmun in Washington. As a result of those discussions, the USOC drafted and adopted a new Team USA uniform policy which mirrors the “Team USA Made in America Act,” legislation filed by the Senators in Congress.

“I’m incredibly pleased that the USOC has formally adopted the requirements outlined in the Team USA Made in America Act,” said Menendez. “This new policy – which will not be altered without informing the Congress - is a clear win for both America’s athletes and America’s workers. “

“We were pleased to work with Sen. Menendez and his colleagues in Congress to address their concerns regarding Team USA’s parade uniforms,” said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. “After listening to feedback from members of Congress, we have committed, along with our partners at Ralph Lauren, to make future parade uniforms in the United States.”